for your second visit

A little over a month ago, I received an email from an old friend. She would be visiting Paris with her parents in a few weeks. “We've been to Paris before and done the museums and touristy stuff, so I was wondering if you had any advice on any "must see" things that are not so touristy?” I can’t even tell you how excited I was to answer her question :). Having lived here for nearly a year, I’ve discovered countless wonderful things to do that fail to make most travel guides. This is what I suggested:

• Make dinner reservations at Les Papilles.
• Check out any of these expos.
• Go for coffee on the Printemps terrace.
• Visit a new museum.
• Enjoy a three-course lunch at: Mirroir, Joli Deli, Café Constant, Verjus, and/or Crêperie des Pêcheurs.
• Invest in souvenirs at Merci.
• Take a sweet break at La Maison du Chou.
• Stop by the La Maison Européene de la Photographie.
• Have an aperitif at le Ciel de Paris.
• Save money on dinner at: Gyoza, Chez Glandines, Un Zebra a Montmartre, and/or Chez Omar.
• If you like jazz, New Morning is a must.
• Stay out for drinks.
• Escape Paris for the day to Chantilly, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Gentilly, Maisons-Lafitte, Fontainbleau.
• Season-specific: Go to the beach. See a movie en plein air.
• Picnic along Canal Saint-Martin, in the Jardin du Luxemborg, by the Seine, at Parc de Buttes Chaumont, etc.

In my opinion, visiting Paris the second, third, fourth time around can be infinitely more magical than the first. Though I added a few points to my original list (in response to a request from that friend I just met up with as she passed through), the fact remains: classic sights are still there for the taking, but now you have opportunity (and, dare I say, obligation) to get a taste of the real thing.

Photo from the Bastille Day picnic.